Little storm damage in New Trier area communities

June 12, 2013|By Gregory Trotter, Chicago Tribune reporter

It appears tonight's storm will not bring the flooding and wind damage originally feared, Winnetka and Wilmette officials said late Wednesday.

As of about 8:30 p.m., Steve Saunders, Winnetka's public works director, said there's been no flooding or wind damage in the village. More storm bursts are coming but appear to be "spotty, scattered stuff," he said.

"We've had a little rain and a little wind," Saunders said, who's been working late monitoring the storm acitivity. "It looks like we have another burst coming but it doesn't look like anything too severe."

Likewise, Wilmette Village Manager Tim Frenzer said there's been no flooding or damage as of 8:30 p.m.

Earlier, both villages issued weather alerts as most of the Chicago area appeared to be in the path of a potentially dangerous storm.

Throughout the day, Saunders said public works employees had been preparing for the storm. They checked the pumps, cleared the stormwater drains and sharpened the chainsaws. There are emergency crews on standby tonight, in anticipation of possible flooding and wind damage, he said.

Winnetka, Northfield and Wilmette all issued weather advisories for heavy rain, thunder and lightning, high winds and hail.

"Residents are advised to make sure home sump pumps are operational and gutters are clean to reduce flooding incidents," the Winnetka news release said.

The Wilmette and Northfield news release both advised residents to immediately call ComEd at 1-800-EDISON-1 (1-800-334-7661) if they see downed power lines and report the location.

Both Frenzer and Saunders indicated it was probably OK to focus more on the Blackhawks beating the Bruins now.